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Rockstar Calls DLC A 'Lucrative' Business Model for the Company

As Rockstar Games hopes to follow in the success of games like Grand Theft Auto V, bosses at the company reveal how DLCs could be a big pull for upcoming Wild West game Red Dead Redemption 2. With fans preparing to saddle up for the long-awaited sequel, Arthur Morgan may not be the end of the road for the sequel.

Taking the tried-and-tested GTA formula, 2010's Red Dead Redemption had all the violence and bloodlust of the driving game but took the action to the plains of outlaws and quick draws. Continuing with what worked and tweaking what didn't, Red Dead Redemption 2 is teasing that it may have listened to the criticisms of GTA fans to add more DLCs akin to the first Redemption.

As an executive of parent company Take-Two interactive, Karl Slatoff spoke at the Cowen & Company conference today in New York, as reported by GameSpot, to discuss how DLCs can be a profitable way to keep fans coming back for more when it comes to the future of their games:

"Rockstar has specifically said that's something they would contemplate in the future but hasn't made any specific announcements about Red Dead or any of their other games going forward. It is a very lucrative model for us; it is a very compelling model for consumers because it allows them to continue to engage in the game in a way they are used to engaging with the game."

Despite GTA V being the most successful entertainment product of all time, one of the few gripes was that a promised DLC never came to pass. These days, the title is still pulling in some serious cash thanks to its Online mode, which continues an impressive haul through microtransactions. As for Red Dead Redemption 2, Slatoff didn't specifically say yes to DLCs, but he definitely didn't say no:

"Across the board, we do see downloadable content as an interesting business model for us. It depends on a game-by-game basis whether that makes sense."

Take-Two is also known for the Borderlands series, which famously extended its life beyond the main series titles through the use of DLCs. The company may have shifted focus elsewhere for GTA Online, but Red Dead Redemption 2 seems like a logical place to return to this "lucrative" way of continuing a game's playability.

Fans already know that those controversial microtransactions will play a part in Red Dead Redemption 2, but it remains to be seen which other popular trends of the moment will make an appearance. Introducing new characters, going over the early days of John Maston (already spotted in the game's trailer), or even following in the footsteps of 2010's popular expansion Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, the DLC opportunities are almost as big as the sandbox game itself.

Ultimately, it is a case of wait and see on whether DLCs will become a big part of Red Dead Redemption 2 or whether Rockstar will again focus more on its already hyped online multiplayer. Considering Red Dead Redemption had a slew of DLC like Outlaws to the End, Legends and Killers, and Liars and Cheats, there will be those who think the company has shot itself in the foot if it goes full GTA V and misses out on DLC fever.